Carrying device for containers

ABSTRACT

A carrying device for containers may include a band. The band may be cylindrical and have an inside wall and an outside wall. A handle may attach to the outside wall of the band. In certain embodiments, the handle may be attached by at least one fastener. In certain embodiments, a plate, having at least one hole, may be attached to the inside wall of the band and the band may be sandwiched by the plate and the handle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/768,903, filed Feb. 25, 2012, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to carrying devices and, more particularly, to an interchangeable carrying device and method for containers commonly used for holding beverages, liquids, and non-liquid composites, and the like.

There are multiple challenges in the carrying, holding, pouring and handling of containers. The term container will be used interchangeable as to also refer to carton, bottle, can, jug, flask, canteen, and the like. These challenges are primarily due to the various shapes, styles, sizes, textures and combination thereof that containers are comprised of, and the subsequent weight of the contents associated with said containers, comprised of shapes such as square, rectangle, oval, round, cylinder, 5 or more sides and the like, that are of various body sizes, various neck widths and lengths and the like, with varying weights of ounces, to 1, 2, 3 liters or 1 gallon and excess thereof and the like, and are made of textures such as plastic, glass, aluminum, metals, cardboard, corrugation, ceramic, canvas, and the like.

Due to the varying shapes, styles, sizes, and textures, and combination thereof, there are subsequent difficulties that include slippage, containers whose sizes are too big or awkward in style and shape to grip, or hold due to the subsequent weight from the contents, or may collapse under the pressure caused from gripping when carrying or pouring.

There are further complications related to personal physical attributes such as is the case for those with a weak grip, small hands, or who may be physically challenged and/or have physical constraints. The combination thereof causes difficulties and inconveniences, or in some instances impossibilities to handle the wide array of containers. Although there are existing devices, there are no known that are of a single interchangeable device, to accommodate the various shapes, styles, sizes, textures that comprise containers.

Other devices only fit a specific type of container; they are not of a single device that is interchangeable with other shapes, styles, sizes, textured containers and the like. An individual needs multiple devices, each designed to apply to the particular shape, type or style container. Current devices tend to have clips and fasteners that at times can be awkward to manipulate. Further, in some instances these devices do not securely fit to the applicable container, and once engaged may not be able to hold and carry the container in varying positions such as vertically upright, horizontally or upside down, causing the container to slip or separate from the device. These devices are difficult to affix to the container. When affixed, the device does not evenly distribute the weight of said contents and thus does not improve handling and sometimes makes it troublesome for handling and pouring.

As can be seen, there is a need for a single carrying device for containers that can be used interchangeably on multiple types of containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a carrying device for containers comprises: a band having an inside wall and an outside wall; and a handle attached to the outside wall of the band.

In another aspect of the present invention, a method for serving the contents of a container, comprises: obtaining a container; placing a carrying device over the container, the carrying device defined by a cylindrical band having an inside wall and an outside wall; and a handle attached to the outside wall of the band; gripping the handle of the carrying device; and leveraging the container by the handle of the carrying device so that the contents of the container are served.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use with an exemplary container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use with a second exemplary container;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use with a third exemplary container;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention shown in use with a fourth exemplary container;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a section detail view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention along line 11-11 in FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a plate of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a section detail view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a carrying device for containers that may include a band. The band may be cylindrical and have an inside wall and an outside wall. In certain embodiments, the band may lack a bottom or top. A handle may attach to the outside wall of the band. In certain embodiments, the handle and band may be made from one material. In certain embodiments, the handle may be attached by at least one fastener. In certain embodiments, a plate, having at least one hole, may be attached to the inside wall of the band and the band may be sandwiched by the plate and the handle.

The present invention may securely fit to any container regardless of the container shape, style, size texture, or combination thereof, and subsequent contents and may require little effort to affix. By sliding the present invention on the container and the reverse to remove it, the applicable container may be sufficiently gripped, held, carried, and poured. In certain embodiments, the same single carrying device may in one instance conform and securely fit to containers with shapes that are square, rectangle, oval, round, cylinder, 5 or more sides and the like, that are of various body size, various neck widths and lengths and the like, with varying weights of ounces, to 1, 2, 3 liters or 1 gallon and excess thereof and the like, and are made of textures such as plastic, glass, aluminum, metals, cardboard, corrugation, ceramic, canvas, and the like, such as 1, 2, 3, liter oval, square, cylinder plastic beverage bottles, square or oval milk cartons, 1 gallon plastic, ceramic, water jugs, rectangular juice bottles, aluminum or metal paint cans, wine bottles and champagne bottles and the like, and enable simple gripping and convenient holding, carrying and pouring of the contents in an upright vertical, horizontal and upside down position or state without separation of the device from any of the said containers. In the next instance, the same single carrying device may conform and securely fit to another container such as any of the containers mentioned above.

The present invention may include a single reusable, transferable band and handle that securely affixes and enables a simple and convenient process to grip any container, eliminating the strain associated with holding, carrying, serving and pouring. The present invention may be used in multiple settings, enabling one-handed handling, holding, carrying, and pouring of any shape, style, size, textured container, and combination thereof, commonly used for holding beverages, liquids and non-liquid contents of various weights while in any position or state without detachment between the container and the device. The material used may allow the present invention to be flexible, expand and retract as necessary depending on the container the device may be covering. The need to grip the containers with two hands or risk of slippage may be eliminated, thus removing any of the before mentioned obstacles and problems. Further, the device may allow for the even distribution of the weight of the container, making for seemingly lighter and therefore easier one handed handling. The flexibility and elasticity of the material of the band may allow the band to expand to encompass and conform to any shape, size, style, textured container, and combination thereof, to securely conform to the container whether the container is wet, dry or the like providing a secure fit that occurs through the retraction of the material once engaged, and returning to its original state upon disengagement. Through the elastic retraction, the container may be carried and held securely in any position while in a suspended state for an extended period of time.

As is illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 21, the present invention may include a band 11 having an inside wall, an outside wall and an interior housing. In certain embodiments, a continuous band 10 may be one continuous piece of material. The band 11 may be cylindrical in shape. In certain embodiments, a non-continuous band 12 may be used having at least one fastener 42 that may attach a first side 25 and a second side 27 of a separation region 26. A handle 15 may be attached to the outside wall of the band 11. In certain embodiments, the handle 15 may be attached through at least one fastener 42. The band 11 may be made from a flexible, expandable, elastic material such as rubber, fabric, and the like. The handle 15 may integrate with the band 11, enabling the gripping required for manipulating a container 14. The handle 15 may be made from any rigid material such as plastic, metal or the like. The handle 15 may be weighted so as not to tip the container over in either direction when the container is a near emptied or emptied state. The handle 15 may be of any style, shape and configuration that may allow for gripping by hand.

In certain embodiments, the non-continuous band 12 may be placed around the container 14 and then secured by using at least one fastener 42 to attach the first side 25 of the separation region 26 and the second side 27 of the separation region 26 together. The at least one fastener 42 may be at least one female snap 28 and at least one male snap 30, a zipper 32, at least one hook and loop fastener with a male component 34 and a female component 36, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the handle 15 may be attached to the band 11 as a permanently attached handle 16. When permanently attached, the permanently attached handle 16 may be made from the same piece of material as the band 11. In certain embodiments, the handle 15 may be a single point attachment handle 38. In certain embodiments, the handle may be attached to the band by a hook and loop fastener, glue type substance or the like. In certain embodiments, the handle 15 may be attached to the band 11 by at least one fastener 42 through a counter bore handle 40. At least one nut 44 may secure the counter bore handle 40 to the band 11. In certain embodiments, the handle 15 may be attached to the band 11 by at least one fastener 42 through a rear fastener handle 58, where the at least one fastener 42 may come from the band through the handle 58. In certain embodiments, a snap handle 46 may be attached to the band 11 by at least one male snap 48 and at least one female snap 50. In certain embodiments, a plate 52 may be placed in between the band 11 and the handle 15 in further support. The plate 52 may have at least one hole 54 for the engagement of the at least one fastener 42, and the like. At least one washer 56 may be placed between the at least one fastener 42 and the plate 52. The plate 52 may be made from any firm type of material such as plastic, metal, wood, cardboard and the like. The plate 52 may be aligned vertically with respect to the handle placement.

A method of using the present invention may include the following. A user 24 may place the carrying device over the container 14 such as is shown in FIG. 8 to be placed for use, and the reverse may occur to remove the carrying device from use. In certain embodiments, the user 24 may place the carrying device up from under the container 14. In certain embodiments, the user 24 may place the carrying device around the container 14. The container 14 may have many shapes, styles, sizes and textures such as an alternate container 18, a third container 60, a fourth container 62 and the like. The user 24 may pick up the container 14 by the handle 15 on the band 11 and carry, hold, handle, pour, serve, and the like, the container 14 by the present invention. The material of the band 11 may stretch and expand to encompass and conform to the container 14 shape providing a secure fit that occurs through the retraction of the elastic material once engaged and retracting to its original state upon disengagement. By using the handle 15, the user 24 may be able to maintain a grip on the container 14 which otherwise would not be there. A level pour may occur using the present invention with the user 24 using only one hand, even with larger containers 14. The user 24 may use the same carrying device and place over another container 14, the alternate container 18, the third container 60, the fourth container 62 and the like. In certain embodiments, when the non-continuous band 12 may be used, the user 24 may pull the non-continuous band 12 around the container so that the non-continuous band 12 may stretch as it is pulled around so to encompass and grip the container 14. The first side 25 of the separation region 26 and the second side 27 of the separation region 26 may come together via at least one fastener 42 such as at least one female snap 28 and at least one male snap 30, a zipper 32, at least one hook and loop fastener with a male component 34 and a female component 36, or the like.

In certain embodiments, the device may be decorated or predesigned with an assortment of accessories such as flowers, slogans, colors, party type favors and the like, that allow for the user to enhance the container, accessorize it to accommodate special occasions, or as a cover to enhance standard container labels. The decorations may be placed along an art region 22 on the band 11. In certain embodiments, a clear window 20 section may be a part of the band 11 so that the contents of the container may be visible to see the remaining contents, the container label or the like.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An interchangeable carrying device for containers of any shape, style, size, texture, and combination thereof, comprising: a band having an inside wall, an outside wall and an interior housing; and a handle attached to the outside wall of the band.
 2. The carrying device of claim 1, further comprising a plate having at least one hole, wherein the plate is attached to the inside wall of the band, wherein the handle attaches to the plate through the at least one hole of the plate, wherein the handle attaches from the outside wall of the band.
 3. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the band is made from an expandable, flexible, elastic material.
 4. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the band is cylindrical in shape.
 5. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the handle attaches to the band by at least one fastener.
 6. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the interior housing of the band comprises an open top end and an open bottom end.
 7. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the band is continuous piece of material.
 8. The carrying device of claim 1, wherein the band is non-continuous and of non-cylindrical having a first side and a second side of a separation region, wherein the first side and the second side attach by at least one fastener.
 9. A method for serving the contents of a container, comprising: obtaining a container; placing a carrying device over the container, the carrying device defined by a cylindrical band having an inside wall and an outside wall; and a handle attached to the outside wall of the band; gripping the handle of the carrying device; and leveraging the container by the handle of the carrying device so that the contents of the container are held, carried, and served.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the carrying device further comprises a plate having at least one hole, wherein the plate is attached to the inside wall of the band, wherein the handle attaches to the plate through the at least one hole of the plate, wherein the handle attaches from the outside wall of the band. 